I'm off!

Well, I cut it about as close as one can…  I picked up my VISA from FedEx on my way to the airport.  (Huge props to Fed Ex who rushed my package and facilitated the early pick up AND even made copies of my VISA for me!)  Another gift…I won the seating lottery and was able to get a bulk head (more leg room) window seat secured for my Newark to Delhi flight (14 ½ hours).   Soooooo happy!!  The Universe is aligning and making this journey happen.

I think I’m prepared.  All my clothes fit in a 1-gallon zip lock.  (2 skirts, 2 pants, 4 t shirts, etc) My bag is full of medicine, toiletries, and “equipment”.  This is the 1^st time I’ve traveled with so much technology.  It’ll be interesting to see how it impacts the experience. 

 

I’m scheduled to land in Delhi at 8:15 PM on Friday evening, will stay at a hotel that night and then meet my friend Michael at the Delhi airport so we can fly Kingfisher Air (the SWA of India) together to Jodhpur.  The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) local folks will pick us up and take us to our families. 

 

I’ll be staying with a young family for my month in Jodhpur. Father: Mr. Parikshit Singh Chaudah, 34, Manager of Venture Resort Mother:  Mrs. Sandhya Chaudah, 30, preschool teacher at Sri Aurobindo School Daughter:  Anushree, 7 student at Sri Aurobindo School

 

I was told that Mr. Chaudah's home is located on a shared compound in a beautiful serene area on the outskirts of Jodhpur.  The house has 2 bedrooms and a shared bathroom.  My room has a separate entrance and a big window.  The house is about a 1-kilometer walk from the main highway, where public transport like city buses (numbers 1 and 7) and auto-rickshaws are readily available.  The family belongs to the Rajput, or Khatriya, caste, the former kings of Rajasthan.  Living with this family will be an excellent opportunity to immerse in Indian culture, learn about traditional practices in the Indian home, learn some Hindi and make some friends! 

I’m really excited about the journey and leaning into this adventure with curiosity. There is much unknown.  (My biggest concern right now is that the hotel will be at the Delhi to pick me up!)  I’m thinking about you and all the unknowns we face… my CCU family wondering what’s next, my dear friend Erika who’s under going surgery, my sis’s pregnancy and the excitement around my new lil niece/nephew, when will Coco’s voice come back?  And on…and on…  

Now, I wait in the airport.  Flights are delayed and I’m content to just sit, breathe deeply and settle into my Kindle. 

Thanks so much for all the happy emails and voicemails.  You humble me with your kind support.  I’m carrying you all in my pocket!